![[box cover]](../../reviewimgs/n/nextfriday.jpg)
Next Friday
Steve Carr's Next Friday is yet another unnecessary sequel that only serves to cheapen the memory of the film upon which it's based. While the original Friday certainly wasn't a comedic masterpiece, it was an enjoyable romp through urban life and the people who inhabit it. Next Friday throws an interesting spin on the earlier film's premise, moving the action into the suburbs as Craig (Ice Cube, who also wrote and produced) spends time with two sex-infatuated relatives, Day-Day and Elroy, while he avoids Debo (Tiny Lister Jr.), his arch-nemesis from the first movie. Next Friday's sense of humor isn't particularly sophisticated, dwelling in the low-brow, crowd-pleasing realms inhabited by films like There's Something About Mary and Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo. The jokes aren't as sharp this time around, the pace isn't as frantic, and the performances aren't as slick, but there are still some fine moments, particularly when the film lets us see the humor of the characters, rather than the formulaic situations. As you'd expect from any New Line Platinum offering, this disc has a generous amount of special-edition content, including an audio commentary track from director Steve Carr, a real-time storyboard-to-movie comparison, a "making-of" featurette, the film's original ending, a blooper reel, actor Mike Epps' audition tape, theatrical trailers, and a gallery of music videos. Next Friday is presented in a nice widescreen (1.85:1) transfer, with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. Snap-case.
—Joe Barlow
